Queensberry, from Mitchellslacks

Queensberry is the most southerly of the Lowther Hills, its position making it a prominent local landmark and an extensive viewpoint. The hill has mostly featureless, wet grassy slopes but the ascent from Mitchellslacks makes best use of ATV tracks. An alternative rougher return is given over the distinctive peak of Wee Queensberry.

Terrain

Track and then faint grassy ATV track and path to summit. Alternative return route given is rough and pathless.

Accommodation

Walk Description

Stage 1

Park on the verge of the minor road at the start of the track to Mitchellslacks - a remote spot on the northern edge of the Forest of Ae. The track leads down to a bridge; cross this, and then fork left - ignoring the Scottish Rights of Way sign. The track passes along the right edge of the farm of Mitchellslacks - go through the gate straight ahead into the field.

Stage 2

A faint grassy track now continues through the field, passing through a gate in the wall half way along before continuing on the other side of the wall. It then passes through another gate - keep straight ahead on the now clearer main track, crossing a fainter one. The track now leads up the glen, keeping to the left flank of a grassy knoll called the Law, but staying high above the Capel Burn.

Stage 3

Continue following the track up the glen until a gate shortly before the ruins of New House and another ruined farmhouse. After passing through the gate turn right up an ATV track that climbs steeply, keeping north of a burn.

Stage 4

Once above the initial steep section the ATV tracks turn towards Queensberry, heading towards a prominent high cairn. Once near the cairn fork right onto a faint path that passes the cairn.

Stage 5

The path continues climbing to reach the summit, which is marked by a massive cairn, as befits the summit of one of the most prominent hills in the area. Queensberry is the southernmost of the Lowther Hills and has very extensive views.

Stage 6

The view takes in a sweep of the Solway Firth as well as both the Galloway Hills and - in the opposite direction - those of Moffat. There are a great many windfarms in view, with the massive Harestanes nearby, and a ring of windfarms visible to the north. The easiest and quickest descent is to retrace your steps, but there is an alternative, which is pathless and crosses rough, tussocky ground.

Stage 7

For this harder alternative descent, retrace your steps briefly before striking directly southwards over tussocky ground towards the wide bealach that separates Queensberry from Wee Queensberry. Cross the bealach and then continue up to the twin peaked summit of the latter hill; the second summit has a trig point. From here initially descend steeply to the west, then continuing over rough ground towards the cairn at High Church. Descend west from here, picking up a faint track that leads down to a complex of sheep pens. From the pens a better track leads back to rejoin the outward route just south of the Law. Turn left to retrace steps back to the start.